An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has found that two Metropolitan Police officers committed misconduct when they handcuffed a 14-year-old black schoolboy during a stop and search in South London. The incident took place in June 2022, after reports of a stolen mobile phone. The boy was restrained but nothing was found on him. The boy’s mother made a complaint which the IOPC investigated and concluded that the officers failed to take into account the boy’s age. The officers handcuffed the small boy longer than necessary and their actions and use of force were of concern to a number of bystanders who raised issues at the time, according to the IOPC. One of the officers was found in breach of the standard relating to integrity after repeatedly asking the boy for his details when he had no power to insist on being given them, and threatening to contact his school.
The IOPC identified learning for the Met Police that mainly related to its policy on visual identification of suspects, and recommended refresher training as part of its investigation. The watchdog said that the officers had received a report that four black boys aged around 14, three wearing black puffer coats and one wearing a dark blue hoody, had robbed a phone from a 13-year-old boy. One of the robbers was said to have claimed they had a knife, although the victim did not report seeing a knife. Child B, who was visibly upset, told officers he had come from school and was wearing his school uniform under the hoody, the IOPC added. Mobile phone footage recorded by a witness was analysed by investigators from the IOPC, along with officers’ body-worn video.
While the Met Police has been approached for a comment, earlier in the week the force had announced a new approach to policing in London called “child-first”. Police officers will now receive training in childhood vulnerability and “adultification bias”, where young people from certain backgrounds were viewed as more grown up. The incident took place around the same time as the new approach was being introduced. PC Clewes, one of the officers involved, received a final written warning for two years while former officer Morgan, who had already resigned from the force, could not be sanctioned
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